The metro rail authorities and the Roads and Highways Department are in a tussle over the route alignment of MRT-5 (north), physical work on which is expected to start in July.

The RHD has lodged reservations over the proposed alignment between Hemayetpur and Aminbazar as the rail line will "frustrate" its Dhaka-Aricha highway development plan.

The metro rail authorities, Dhaka Mass Transit Company Ltd (DMTCL), had to stop some work, including tests, along the road following the RHD's objection last year.

Road Transport and Highways Division held meetings with the RHD and the DMTCL and officials of both agencies visited the site together but could not find a solution, raising questions about the work getting started on time and subsequently MRT-5 meeting its 2028 deadline.

The 20km rail line with 14 stations is supposed to connect Hemayetpur and Bhatara via Gabtoli, Mirpur, and Gulshan at a cost of Tk 41,239 crore.

The 5.6km section, from Hemayetpur to Aminbazar, will be elevated while a 13.5km section from Gabtoli to Natunbazar will be underground. The remaining 0.9km will be elevated.

The DMTCL in June 2020 hired a consortium led by Japanese Nippon Koei Co Ltd to prepare the detailed design, 70 percent work of which has been completed.

The Dhaka-Aricha highway mainly links the capital with the north and some districts in the south. The RHD is spending Tk 696 crore to build dedicated service lanes and bus bays at major bus stops and market areas between Gabtoli and Paturia Ferry Terminal.

Over a decade ago, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had also given the go-ahead to turn the highway, up to Nabinagar, into an expressway. The feasibility study for the project was done in 2021.

DEADLOCK

Officials of the RHD and the DMTCL and their consultants had a meeting on March 23, 2021. Then RHD chief engineer Abdus Sabur and MRT-5 Project Director Aftab Hossain Khan were present.

At the meeting, RHD officials said blocking the highway corridor with metro rail structures would not be sustainable.

They requested the metro rail's consultants to explore other options, including relocating the MRT-5 depot to the south, according to the meeting minutes.

But Aftab said the depot cannot be moved south due to technical reasons and that approval for land acquisition for the depot had already been issued.

RHD officials said their feasibility study on the expressway did not consider the metro rail. They asked for the Hemayetpur to Aminbazar section of the rail line to be either moved south or taken underground.

MRT-5 Project Director Aftab said the line was planned on RHD land in accordance with Strategic Transport Plan (STP) or revised STP.

Due to technical difficulties and the heavy flow of traffic on the highway, the line cannot be moved to the south or on the central reservation of the highway, he added.

Metro rail consultants requested the RHD to move parts of the expressway to the south instead.

The meeting decided to sit again and finalise a paper that would be sent to the ministry concerned for a decision.

But the issue was not solved, as evident by the RHD's objection to MRT authorities' tests along the highway about five-six months ago.

The RHD did not allow the tests to be carried out obstructing traffic, sources said. The tests are yet to be completed.

The DMTCL then sought intervention from the Road Transport and Highways Division, which convened a meeting with both sides about two months ago.

"We have raised the same points that if the MRT line is built following the alignment [planned by DMTCL], it will seriously affect our expansion plan," RHD's Executive Engineer (Dhaka Division) Mohammad Ahad Ullah said.

Besides, traffic on the highway would be obstructed during the construction period, he told this correspondent on February 19.

RHD Additional Chief Engineer (Dhaka zone) Sabuj Uddin Khan said their main reservation regarding the MRT-5 alignment is in station areas, where more land will be required.

He said the problem will be solved and their chief engineer was expected to have a meeting with DMTCL officials soon.

Moshiur Rahman, additional project director (civil and underground) of MRT-5 (north), said the Road Transport and Highways Division has formed a committee, led by additional secretary Zakir Hossain, to solve the issue.

"We have requested him to resolve the issue quickly as our consultants will have to work there," he told this newspaper on February 20.

Replying to a question, he said the dispute will not delay the MRT-5 implementation. They will start physical work with depot development within July. Preparatory work on other parts was ongoing, he said.

"Such problem arises in every project. We will solve it through discussion," he added.

Zakir Hossain said they have visited the spot and have asked the RHD and the DMTCL to sit together and find a way out.

"We will take the next step upon hearing their opinions," he told The Daily Star on February 20.